This problem combines two themes - the Single Corner Cramp and the Fugitive King. It is easier to solve from a macro view than move-by-move. Hold the four checkers cramped in the single corner, then attack the king without allowing the cramp to unwind. Since it only requires two checkers to hold the cramp, White can use a waiting move when necessary to gain tempo on the king.

C. The piece on 7 is no longer needed to hold the single corner cramp, which is now maintained by Black pieces on 20 and 23. Thus it can be employed to attack the fugitive king. In addition, changing the guard to 23 from 7 allows the piece on 23 to serve the double function of holding the cramp and containing the king.

D. 28-32, 30-25, 16-19, 23-7, 32-23, 7-10. White Wins.

E. 27-31, 18-15, 11-18, 20-4, 18-23, 4-8. White Wins.

F. 16-19, 18-23, 19-26, 30-23. White Wins.

G. Not 18-23?, 16-19*, 23-7, 8-11*, 7-16, 12-28. Drawn.

Last edited by Lisle Cormier on Fri May 08, 2009 11:01 am, edited 2 times in total.

for those interesting and fascinating problems . I am just surprised that there has been no contributions but your own here , as the idea of starting an " interseting endgame " article , is a good one . KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK , and if I get a bit of time to myself then i will try and post few

for those interesting and fascinating problems . I am just surprised that there has been no contributions but your own here , as the idea of starting an " interseting endgame " article , is a good one . KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK , and if I get a bit of time to myself then i will try and post few

I call this theme Self Incrimination because Black, in three instances, is punished by a two-for-one shot if he exposes a White piece to capture. The first two times, Black can avoid threatening the White piece. But the third time, Black must allow the drawing shot. Another classic from Wiswell's Checker Magic called Imagination.

This position from Boland's Bridges caught my attention because of its practicality. Black has sacrificed a man in order to break through for a king while maintaining a strong defense with his remaining forces. The caption "White to Win" should bring hope since many of us have faced an uphill battle when caught between a fortress and a marauding king. In this instance, at least, the aggravator is punished for this cheeky behavior.

There are three strategic possibilities for White:(1) Allow the man on square 18 to crown and attack White's pieces from behind. The tradeoff must be that White gains a move that breaks through Black's fortress without losing material.(2) Move the piece on square 17 in the hope of having more waiting moves than Black.(3) Move the piece on square 17 with the intent of sacrificing a man through square 6 in order to crown and attack Black from behind.

White's first move is an important point that should clarify how to both defend and attack this type of fortress.